Effects of sex, race, ethnicity, and education on online aging research participation

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to identify the relationship of sociodemographic variables with older adults participation in an online registry for recruitment and longitudinal assessment in cognitive aging. Methods Using Brain Health Registry (BHR) data, associations between sociodemographic variables (sex, race, ethnicity, education) and registry participation outcomes (task completion, willingness to participate in future studies, referral/enrollment in other studies) were examined in adults aged 55+ (N = 35,919) using logistic regression. All models included sex, race, ethnicity, education, age, and subjective memory concern. Results Non‐white race, being Latino, and lower educational attainment were associated with decreased task completion and enrollment in additional studies. Results for sex were mixed. Discussion The findings provide novel information about engagement in online aging‐related registries, and highlight a need to develop improved engagement strategies targeting underrepresented sociodemographic groups. Increasing registry diversity will allow researchers to refer more representative populations to Alzheimer's and related dementias prevention and treatment trials.

Keywords

• aging research
• brain health registry
• education
• engagement
• ethnicity
• internet